Pictures: Vet gets gift of a custom Martin guitar

Harry Fisher

Brad Snyder of Baltimore strums a custom Martin Guitar presented to him inside the Nazareth guitar maker's headquarters on Monday. Lt. Brad Snyder was blinded by an IED blast while serving with the armed forces in Afghanistan in September of 2011.

Brad Snyder of Baltimore (from left) and friend John Keirle of Bethlehem, look with anticipation as District Sales Manager Dave Evans unveils the custom Martin Guitar made for Snyder inside the Nazareth guitar maker's headquarters. Lt. Brad Snyder was blinded by an IED blast while serving with the armed forces in Afghanistan in September of 2011. Brad was awarded the purple heart. He has always liked to play the guitar, however his loss of vision made it difficult to resume his passion. The guitar is complete with Braille fret markers, a Purple Heart Medal, and his EOD Insignia (representing his military profession as a Bomb Disposal Officer). The guitar is loosely based on the HD28 Snyder, 28, grew up in Florida and lives in Baltimore